Since 2008 Azad-Hye has introduced its internet radio channels, starting from the main one and adding more and more specialized channels every year. Currently we have the following channels:

Main Channel

Poetry Channel

Channel dedicated to the Armenian Genocide

Channel dedicated to the First Republic

Send your song to add to the list.

Pan-Armenian Conference: “Current State of Instruction of Western Armenian in the Diaspora”. Yerevan, July 3-5, 2010

The pan-Armenian conference on “Current State of Instruction of Western Armenian in the Diaspora” will be held in Yerevan on July 3-5, 2010.

We call on all experts of Western Armenian to take part in the discussions on the current state of instruction of Western Armenian and the creation of a unified pan-Armenian textbook in Western Armenian, as well as prepare reports upon desire.

The conference is organized by the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

55 applications for participation in “Best Armenian media outlet” category of the contest declared by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and World Armenian Congress

YEREVAN, 26 MAY, NOYAN TAPAN: The deadline for submitting applications for the category “Best Armenian Media Outlet” of the contest “Notable contribution to preservation of the Armenian identity” declared by the RA Ministry of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress is over.

Recapping the lists and registration of applications from media outlets, the contest committee registered that it had received a total of 55 applications according to countries, including the Russian Federation (12), Georgia (7), USA (6), Lebanon (4), Ukraine (4), France (3), Argentina (3), Greece (2), Belarus (2), Spain (2), Iran (1), Turkey (1), United Arab Emirates (1), Bulgaria (1), Uzbekistan (1), Czech Republic (1), Romania (1), Great Britain (1), Cyprus (1) and Canada (1).

The contest committee also presented the proportional distribution of applications in the four subcategories of “Best Armenian media outlet”.

There were 32 applications for the “Best print media” subcategory, 5 for “Best television channel”, 6 for “Best radio program” and 12 for “Best online media”.

According to the press release of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, the first stage is underway and the contest committee will select the best based on summaries submitted by the media outlets. In the second stage, the committee will make selections based on additional information provided by the committee’s demand (articles, sound recordings and other materials).

The results of the contest will be announced in October 2010. The winners will be handed their awards at the solemn award ceremony during the 5th pan-Armenian conference of journalists and media to be held on October 11-16, 2010.

Source: www.hayernaysor.am 

The Shoghakat Television Company recently produced a short video on the Armenian Church Youth Centers. 

3,500 boys and girls attend after-school classes at the network of seven Armenian Church Youth Centers throughout Armenia.  The first three opened in Yerevan in 1991, through the sponsorship of the Armenian General Benevolent Union.  Four more have since opened in Vanadzor, Ashtarak, Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin) and Kanaker.  Two more are scheduled to open in the near future in Gyumri and southern Armenia.

Watch the video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Dxl_O-foBroQ

And visit the Armenian Church's channel on YouTube for new videos added every week:
http://www.youtube.com/armenianchurch

PRESS RELEASE
Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Information Services
Address:  Vagharshapat, Republic of Armenia
Contact:  Office of Foreign Communications
Tel:  +374-10-517163
Fax:  +374-10-517301
E-Mail:  fco@etchmiadzin.am
Website:  www.armenianchurch.org

Statement of All Armenian Media Association

The All Armenian Media Association expresses deep concern over the political vengeance against Armenian journalist of Near Dnester, Ernest Vardanyan.
 
The video disseminated by the Ministry of National Security of Near Dnester, in which Vardanyan supposedly confessed that he had collaborated with the authorities of Moldova, is apparently the result of assaults and threats. The journalist had previously provided information about this in his announcement in April.
 
The All Armenian Media Association condemns the imprisonment of the Armenian journalist and calls on the law-enforcement bodies of the Republic of Armenia to take advantage of their opportunities to extenuate the pressures against Ernest Vardanyan. The association also calls on Armenia’s Chamber of Advocates to take measures in order to show necessary legal support to the Armenian journalist.
 
All Armenian Media Association
 
Yerevan, May 11, 2010

ANTELIAS, Lebanon - His Holiness Aram I has nominated a committee to prepare the third Consultation on the theme of "Western Armenian language and Armenian Studies Today", to be held in Antelias 14-16 September2010. These series of consultations have been organized in cooperation with the Armenian Affairs Department of the Gulbenkian Foundation. The first conference was held in 2004 on the theme "Armenian Studies in the Diaspora"" and the second in 2008 on "Teaching Armenian History and Language in the Diaspora".

The purpose of the forthcoming consultation is to analyze the usage of Western Armenian in the diaspora today and its mutation by foreign languages. Like many other languages, Armenian is being influenced by the local languages where the diaspora communities live, and by the need to create new vocabulary to keep pace with the advancement of science and technology.

A large number of linguists, professors of Armenian Language and Literature and representatives of educational institutions have been invited to take part in this important event.

Announced in newsletter issued on 08 May 2010 by the Catholicosate of Cilicia

Jury of International Hrant Dink Award announced submission of nominations

The Jury of the International Hrant Dink Award announced the submission of nominations for 2010 Award. The annual International Hrant Dink Award is presented to individuals, organizations and groups that work for a free and just world without discrimination, racism and violence, who take personal risks for achieving those ideals, who break the stereotypes by giving inspiration and hope to others. By means of this Award, the Hrant Dink Foundation aims to remind all those who struggle for these ideals that their voices are heard and they are not alone.

The winners will be announced on September 15, 2010 - on the birthday of Hrant Dink, Chief Editor of "Agos" Armenian-Turkish newspaper, who was killed in Istanbul on January 19, 2007.

The International Hrant Dink Award Jury consists of: author Adalet Agaoglu; journalists Alper Gormus and Amira Hass (both of them are winners of the Hrant Dink Award 2009); Boris Navasardian, President of Yerevan Press Club; Daniel Cohn-Bendit, Member of the European Parliament; journalist Hasan Cemal; Irene Khan, former Secretary General of Amnesty International; feminist intellectual Judith Butler; Rakel Dink, President of the Board of Directors of the Hrant Dink Foundation.

The deadline for nominations for the Award is May 15, 2010.

The nomination form is presented on the website www.hrantdinkaward.org and can be either uploaded through the website or sent by post:

Hrant Dink Vakfi
Halaskargazi Cad. Sebat Apt. No: 74/1
Osmanbey. Sisli 34371
Istanbul, Turkey

The award is given by HRANT DINK FOUNDATION

Dear Azad-Hye Editor,
 
We would like to inform you that on 25-28 of June 2010 in the town Stepanakert- capital of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic will take place “Bridge Artsakh 2010” Economic Forum.

“Bridge Artsakh 2010” is a reliable bridge connecting Nagorno-Karabakh Republic with friends and the outside world. Thanks to the Forum, Armenian entrepreneurs from different countries will have the chance to get acquainted with the economic situation and investment possibilities in the NKR.

The present format of the Forum will allow the discussion of actual problems, mentioning further ways for cooperation, exchanging opinions, understanding regional development prospects, investment possibilities and establishing new partnerships.

The Forum will attract businessmen, heads from ministries and official bodies from Artsakh and Armenia and spyurk representatives.

Main topic: "Public–private partnership: The base for stable economic development"

Organizers: Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia, Center of International Integration Support (MASTER.

Official supporter: Government of NKR.
 
Dear Editor, we are glad to invite you to take part in this Forum and would like to ask you to support it by circulating the information in your community.

With best regards,
N. Nazinyan
Chairman of the Organizing Committee
07 May 2010 (Letter № 707/05-574)

 
For participation please confirm by 19 of June 2010
 
Organizing Committee of the «Bridge Artsakh» Economic Forum
7 Abovyan str, Yerevan-10, Republic of Armenia
Tel.: (+ 374 10) 56 91 97
Fax: (+ 374 10) 56 91 97
E-mail: forum@bridge.am
URLs:  
www.master.am
www.bridge.am   

Dear Friends and Family,

I would like to inform you of an opportunity to visit Vardenis as part of your tour through the beautiful and historic country of Armenia.

The “ASTGHAVARD” Disabled Children Parent's Non-Governmental Organization would like to host you during your stay in Armenia.

Our volunteers and parents can provide a place for you to stay in Vardenis and help to acquaint you with Armenian traditions regarding food and culture.

We can show you some of the local places of interest and it is also possible for your children or for scout groups to join us in our summer camp.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

E-mail: ararat_1_lions@yahoo.com

President` M. Yepremyan
“ASTGHAVARD”
Disabled Children Parent's Non-Governmental Organization

The modern perspectives of progress

June 28, 2010, Moscow, Russia

Date: June 28, 2010

Venue: Institute of Afro-Asian Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Mokhovaya st. 11, Moscow, Russia
 
The conference “Armenia – Iran: History. Culture. The modern perspectives of progress” will take place in the Institute of Asian and African Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University. A wild range of questions will be discussed:

- initial Indo-European unity
- ancient period
- Hellenistic period
- the early Middle Ages
- the late Middle Ages
- the modern history
- ancient Armenian sources about Persia
- medieval Armenian sources about Iran

The Culture
The cultures of the region and its community
The nations’ relationships and interaction of cultures
From historical confrontation to collaboration
Possibility of art beyond the national background
Traditions, rites
Beliefs and religions
The religion as the factor of formation of national consciousness
Armenian scientists in Iran, their contribution in Iranian science

Language
- linguistic subject matter of Indo-European studies
- adoptions from Medium-Iranian

Literature
· Persian writers of Armenian origin and Armenian writers, writing in Persian
· Armenian literature
· The Iranian mythological and heroic images in Armenian history
· Armenians and Iranian mythology, literature, history
· Mythological parallels and borrowings
· The Persian poetry and Armenian literature the Middle Ages
Visual arts, architecture
· Armenian art in Iran
· Medieval miniature
· Borrowings in architecture and common features
· Applied arts

The modern perspectives of development
· The topical problems of the modern political situation
· The new approaches to the international relations
· The place and role of Armenia in geopolitical processes
· The significance of Armenian church at present

The Armenian diaspora in Iran
· The modern state
· Goals and objectives of life activity
· Major alteration of connections between mother country and the diaspora
· The diaspora’s functions in government system of Armenia
· The role of the Armenian diaspora in social and government order of Iran, in relations between Armenia and Iran
· The Armenian diaspora in the aspect of the spiritual, intellectual and politico-economic space of Iran
· The role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in maintening of the Armenian identity
· The culture of the diaspora

We invite you to take part in the conference, give a talk or make a presentation.

If you are unable to come, you can collaborate in the collected articles based on materials of the conference.
Please, send your applications till June 1. The compulsory condition of the participation in our conference (except stipulated cases) is placing the text up to the 15th of June in the organizing committee. The capacity is up to 24 p, Unicod, on electronic carriers.

You can send the text and the reference to the author by e-mail: armiranconference@mail.ru; lalazulum@mail.ru

The operational languages are Russian and English.

All the outlay is at the expense of the organizers. The hostel of MSU can be granted in certain cases.

The conference is taking place on the 28th of June in the Institute of Afro-Asian Studies of Lomonosov MSU at Mokhovaya st., 11.

The chairman of organizing committee:
PROFESSOR Maier Michal Sirafimovich

The Coordinator:
Zulumyan Burastan Sergeevna lalazulum@mail.ru

Phone number for inquiries: 7-495-704-19-11; 7-495-629-42-02

THE ARARAT-ESKIJIAN MUSEUM

FRIENDS OF UCLA ARMENIAN LANGUAGE AND CULTURE STUDIES

AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ARMENIAN STUDIES AND RESEARCH

Present

ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT TREASURES IN GEORGIA

by Prof. Zaza Aleksidze
Director, Program in Armenology, Javakishvili State University, Tbilisi

Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 4:00 p.m.

The Ararat-Eskijian Museum
15105 Mission Hills Road
Mission Hills, CA 91345

● Admission free (Donations appreciated) ● Reception following program

For more information contact the Ararat–Eskijian Museum at (818) 838-4862 or e-mail mgoschinmindspring.com or hq naasr.org

Prof. Zaza Aleksidze is the Senior Scientific Researcher and Chair of the Department of Codicology at the National Center for Manuscripts in Tbilisi, Georgia. An expert in Caucasian Albanian, he is renowned for his work deciphering and analyzing the medieval Georgian, Armenian, and Caucasian Albanian texts recently discovered at St. Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai. He is currently the Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at UCLA.

For several decades Aleksidze has curated the collection of several hundred Armenian manuscripts at the National Center of Manuscripts in Tbilisi and directed the Armenian Studies Program at Tbilisi University. From the mid-1990s Aleksidze has spearheaded a new research initiative analyzing and publishing the cache of Georgian, Armenian, and Caucasian Albanian texts that emerged from a long-forgotten storehouse in St. Catherine’s Monastery on Sinai after a fire in the late 1970s.

Investigation of these new sources has revolutionized the traditional account of Georgia's relations with its neighbors in the Caucasus, Byzantium, and the Iranian world from Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages.

For the first time in Syria

Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 March 2010, 07:00 - 09:30pm

Location: Opera House- Damascus, Syria 

Tickets are available at the Opera House

Saturday & Saturday: 11:00am - 03:00pm, 04:00 - 09:00pm, Monday 09:00am - 03:00pm / 04:00 - 09:00pm

Rate: 500, 700, 1000 and 1500 Syrian Pounds
Tel : +963 (0)11-3348511

Music Of Armenia and St Ethelburga's Centre present

The duduk is an instrument which best describes sorrow, yet it is also an instrument used for happy occasions.

With this in mind, Music Of Armenia brings you "The Voice Of Duduk" to honour the victims of the Armenian Genocide as well as celebrate Armenian culture through its beautiful music.

Tigran Aleksanyan, Andrew Cronshaw and Cevanne in an unforgettable evening of beautiful music

Tigran Aleksanyan - duduk
Andrew Cronshaw - http://www.myspace.com/andrewcronshaw
Cevanne - http://www.cevanne.com

Date
Friday, 16th APRIL 2010
Doors open: 7:00pm, Music at 7:30pm

Address
St. Ethelburga's Centre
78 BISHOPSGATE
LONDON
EC2N 4AG

Tickets
Please click on the link to purchase your ticket
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/75434

For more information please contact us at info@musicofarmenia.com
http://www.musicofarmenia.com/

Meeting hall

The National Council of Qatar Armenians has secured a meeting hall in the Al Rawda Compound (E-Ring), where members can meet once every second Wednesday.

The first meeting will take place on 17 March 2010, followed by meetings on 31 March and 14 April 2010, starting from 08:00pm

Armenian Ball (Barahantes)

An Armenian ball will take place on 08 April 2010, starting from 08:00pm in the Feyrouz Hall in Marriott Hotel, Doha. Tickets 200 Rial.

Ladies' Evening

18 March 2010, from 07:00-11:00pm in the Al Bustan Village Compound, Doha. Tickets 100 rial.

Contest for 'Notable contribution to the preservation of the Armenian identity'

“Best Armenian media outlet” category

Yerevan, 2010

RA Ministry of Diaspora and the World Armenian Congress announce the annual contest entitled “Notable contribution for the preservation of the Armenian identity” for Diaspora Armenian media.

The contest is open to any media outlets that have at least three years of work experience and focus on preservation of the Armenian identity, the Armenia-Diaspora partnership, Armenian national, cultural and educational issues, publish or provide articles, background information, programs and series of programs relating to the mentioned topics.

Materials published in 2009 are presented during the contest.

There are 4 categories:

- Priest Harutyun Shmavonyan Award for the Best Print Media
- Hovhannes Adamyan Award for the Best Television Program/Station
- Hakob Meghapart Award for the Best Radio Program/Station
- Hrant Dink Award for the Best Online Media

Those wishing to participate in the contest, must send the following to the contest committee by March 30, 2010:

1. Application form for participation.
2. Summary of activities for preservation of Armenian identity.

For more information, please call or send an e-mail to the following addresses:

RA Ministry of Diaspora
26/1 Str. V. Sargsyan, Yerevan, 0010
E-mail: info@mindiaspora.am
Telephone:
+(37410) 58 56 01-109
+(1 818) 480 6740

The terms and conditions for participation can be found on the following websites:
RA Ministry of Diaspora: www.mindiaspora.am
World Armenian Congress: www.armcongress.org
“Hayern Aysor” electronic newspaper: www.hayernaysor.am

Contest Committee

Please disseminate this information to other media outlets.

Long time Azad-Hye contirbutor Carlos Jose Bourdjian invites  all the readers to attend the opening ceremony of his photography exhibition "Love ... 100% Unconditional"

Sunday, 28 February 2010, at 05:00 p.m.

Location: Art River Cafe-Gallery, Villat street, opposite Saint Mary (Sourp Asdvadzadzin) Armenian Church in Aleppo, Syria.

Duration of the exhibition is one month.

he Armenian Communities of Asia Minor from Adabazar, Bursa, and Banderma to Kutahia and Konia will be featured at UCLA on Saturday, March 20, 2010.

This is the 18th and final conference in the international series, “Historic Armenian Cities and Provinces,” sponsored by the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History and organized by Professor Richard G. Hovannisian. The program will be held on the UCLA campus in 1200 Rolfe Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
 
Among the presenters is Mr. Osman Koker of Istanbul, editor and publisher of Mr. Orlando C. Calumeno’s extensive postal card collection depicting the Armenian communities of the Ottoman Empire a hundred year ago and before. His illustrated talk on Saturday morning is titled “From Banderma and Erminikoy to Armash: Armenians of the Marmara Region.”  This presentation will be complemented in the afternoon sessions with that of Ms. Ruth Thomasian of the Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, “Armenian Communities of Asia Minor as Seen through the Photograph.”
 
Others on the program include Prof. Richard Hovannisian, with an overview of the Armenian communities of Asia Minor; Prof. Peter Cowe of UCLA on the Konia community during the Seljuk period; Ms. Dawn MacKeen of Los Angeles on Adabazar; Mr. Ara Melkonian of London on Bardizag; Dr. Barbara Merguerian of Boston on Laura Farnham and schools for Armenian girls in Adabazar and Bardizag; Dr. Hasmik Khalapyan of Yerevan State University on the role of the theater among the Armenians of Asia Minor; Dr. Arpi Vardumyan of the Matenadaran in Yerevan on the Armenian musical culture of Kutahia; and Prof. Simon Payaslian of Boston University on the demise of the Armenian communities in Asia Minor.
 
The conference is supported by the UCLA Center for Near Eastern Studies, Center for European and Eurasian Studies, Bob and Nora Movel Fund, and the Organization of Istanbul Armenians. It is open to the public at no charge. Parking is available in lot 5, entrance from Sunset Blvd at Royce Drive (between Westwood Blvd. and Hilgard Ave, with a fee). Limited free street parking is available on Hilgard Ave. and on Westholme Ave. between Hilgard and Warner.

For additional conference information: hovannis@history.ucla.edu
 
Photography: The Armenian Monastery and Seminary of Armash.

Սիրելի հայրենակիցներ,

Իր կազմակերպչական աշխատանքներու ծիրէն ներս, վարչութիւնս որոշած է հանդիպում մը կայացնել բոլոր հայ երիտասարդ-երիտասարդուհիներու հետ, քննարկելու համար իրենց գաղափարները և առաջարկները՝ աւելի եւս աշխուժացնելու ընկերային և ազգային գործունէութիւնները:

Յիշեալ հանդիպումը տեղի պիտի ունենայ Չորեքշաբթի, 24 Փետրուար 2010-ի երեկոյեան ժամը 8-ին, Ալ-Ռաուտա Քոմբաունտին մէջ (E-Ring):

Հրաւիրուած են բոլոր հայ երիտասարդ-երիտասարդուհիները:

Քաթարի Ազգային Վարչութիւն

Thursday, February 25, 2010 – 6 p.m.
Matossian Gallery – Mugar Bldg.
Kantari- Beirut

Armen Topjian was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on August 20, 1950. 

A graduate of the Armenian Evangelical College, at the age of eight Armen was struck with polio and had to interrupt his schooling for a few years, however, by sheer will-power and perseverance, he was able to return to school and complete his education. 

He proceeded further to study English Literature at Haigazian College and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1975. 

The polio had claimed the use of his right arm, but Armen had switched to use of his left hand.  He started drawing sketches and pencil drawings, and eventually developed an eye and a talent for caricatures.  While in high-school, he published a booklet depicting caricatures of the teachers of the Armenian Evangelical College which he dedicated to all his teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day.

At Haigazian, Armen was active in various committees, and was the Editor-in-Chief of the college yearbook Focus.

Armen passed away in the United States in 1980, where he had gone to undergo treatment.

Announcement by HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY